I was thrilled when the opportunity to compose for Mikko Mäkelä’s sophomore film Sebastian came along. An arthouse drama about modern sex work that avoids judgment and generic queer tragedy, armed with delicate yet powerful storytelling and striking visuals. The film tells the story of Max, a Londoner writing his debut novel about sex work in the digital age. He draws inspiration from "interviews," which actually means he sells sex to older men under the name Sebastian. As he struggles with writing and keeping his nightlife a secret, things begin to collide, and the stakes get higher. - YouTube www.youtube.com How It All StartedSebastian is a co-production between the UK, Finland, and Belgium, and the Finnish producer Severi Koivusalo was the one who first introduced me to the director, Mikko Mäkelä. I noticed early on that we shared a common vision for the score. We discussed the characters and how the music could enhance the film, especially in scenes without dialogue. The creative process was pretty straightforward, and in the blink of an eye, we found ourselves at the world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival 2024, where Sebastian was selected for the World Cinema Dramatic Competition.Creating a Musical IdentityI wanted to create a strong and unique musical identity for Sebastian—something that truly draws you in and leaves a memorable sonic imprint on viewers. Reflecting Max's private nightlife, the score needed to be delicate and minimalistic. An electronic approach felt appropriate due to the urban pulse of London. My strong...
Published By: NoFilmSchool - 2 days ago